ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

Sean and The Wild Lotus Band have been receiving more and more national attention for their soulful New Orleans take on kirtan. This groundbreaking album "Calling The Spirits" led to their signing on Nettwerk/Nutone Records home of Sarah McLaughlin, Barenaked Ladies, Lisa Gerrard, Be Good Tanyas, Hope Sandoval and chant artists Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Bhagavan Das, David Newman, Wah!, Donna DeLory, Wade Morrisette, and Reema Datta. Calling The Spirits has become a favorite at yoga studios across the country. On this album, the band shares mantric songs great for pure listening, singing and dancing along with, and accompanying yoga practice.

Seán and The Wild Lotus Band play in New Orleans regularly and tour nationwide seeking to inspire freedom through the blissful power of music and chant. The Wild Lotus Band includes Seán on vocals and harmonium, percussionist/vocalist Gwendolyn Colman, and Alvin Young on fretless bass. Guest artists on "Calling The Spirits" include Matt Johnson on guitar and tenor sax, Kristen Jensen on violin, Ludmila Konstantinova on cello, vocalist Paul Ruest, and Dean Klopsis on tamboura.

“Truly an Awesome Experience! - a musical gumbo to stir your soul. These guys are the real thing, Sean has the voice of a deva, an angel - and the band is full of swing, soul, rock, jazz and healing vibrations. They deliver from the heart, straight to yours. They can transform a room with their musical gifts, love and sincerity. Sean and the Wild Lotus kirtan band are the best kept secret in the chanting world - not for long!” -- Saul David Raye, founder of Sacred Movement, L.A.

"Sean brings home the devotion in his voice: this is bhakti in full measure. He is also living proof of the power of the hatha yogi who also understands the power of sound. This, I believe, is the future of yoga, especially in the West, where a unique yogic culture is being developed, authentic in its spirit and meaningful in the form of its expression."-- Russill Paul, chant recording artist and author of 'The Yoga of Sound'

"When I spin Seán's CD World Peace Chants' on World Journey, the response is always immediate ... always positive! Whether we come from the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, or African Roots traditions, World Peace Chants reminds us that the spirit of love has no borders. The album is a jewel whose international facets reflect a good groove and instant balm for the 21st century soul." -- The World Journey Goddess, WWOZ-90.7 FM, New Orleans

"When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, studio owner and kirtan singer Sean Johnson left his hometown to go on tour with his band. In between performances, the group set to work on writing new material that blended Big Easy jazz with Sanskrit chants. The resulting studio album represents the band's emotional grieving for its city and hopefulness for its renaissance.

In this acoustically based album, Johnson, his brother and guitarist Matt Johnson, percussionist Gwendolyn Colman, and jazz bassist Alvin Young aims to capture the spirit of the devastated city. Tenor sax and guitar fuse beautifully with the Indian harmonium and tamboura, Middle Eastern dumbek and udu, and Laten castanets. Many of the tracks are improvised recordings, giving each song a life of its own.

This organic energy is evident throughout the album, especially with "Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu," in which the opening guitar riff precedes a soulful saxophone accompanying the mantra for happiness and freedom to all. The funky rhythms and vocals in "Om Shakti" exuding the power of the divine feminine, are paired with a rapped chant of the "Durga Chalisa,' a Hindu prayer honoring Durga, the lion-riding warrior goddess.

Calling The Spirits delivers the spicy sounds of the bayou with devotion. For that reason, the album is a joy to listen to whether you're a yogi, a jazz connoisseur, or anyone who appreciates wildly creative music."

"Starting on slow simmer, Calling The Spirits is a jazzy hybrid of East and West that will bring joy to your heart and get your body boogieing! New Orleans is home for this band, and there’s something in the arrangements and in the horns that brings to mind the old-time Cajun mix of high culture and deep roots.

I hear the influence of Sean’s teacher, Russill Paul, who taught Sean raga and harmonics, particularly in the title track. With deep reverence for mantra and melody, the Wild Lotus Band does its magic, creating a stew of shimmering world music. Sean’s voice is sublime beyond belief. I adore Gwendolyn Coleman’s vocals, and her Middle Eastern percussion skills are fabulous. The horns add a bit of Eastern European flavor.

The cover art is a dreamy feast for the eyes–Hanuman on harmonium, Krishna on sax and Ganesh on bass, while the Devi keeps it all together in time. It’s highly recommended for all chant fans, yogis and music lovers alike. Calling The Spirits will ground you, while at the same time allow your wings to emerge and fly--a true spiritual phenomena."

This is one of those CD's you can just leave in the CD player forever. Sean and the Wild Lotus Band infuse ancient chants with smooth vocals, beautiful harmonies, and powerful rhythms that take you back to the source of all things. What else do you need?

Sean Johnson & the Wild Lotus Band are a New Orleans-based collective
that offer a unique twist on classic kirtan chant. Acoustic guitar,
bluesy rhythms, lots of clap-style percussion... the band takes the
essence of the bayou and merges it with Indian spiritual music for a
sound that bubbles with soul and unbridled passion. Johnson provides
lead vocals on the album, and his voice has a low, smooth quality that
melds well with the earthy, acoustic-based backdrops. Their take on the
perennial "Om Namah Shivaya" is fresh and original, with a light jazz
sound and joyous singing that captivates. The same could be said for
another favorite "Govinda Gopala," which makes great use of Kristen
Jensen's violin to provide an upbeat yet tender melody. Johnson and his
band perform regularly at yoga studios around the country and have
frequently put on benefit concerts to help rebuilding efforts in their
New Orleans home.

I feel it riding the current of grace with powerful life affirmation. Those I have shared it with agree we have heard nothing quite like it before. We absolutely love it. It stretches the rings around my heart.

I'm using it for my yoga classes and for myself personally to keep my mind in balance throughout the day. I especially love the drums in Om Gang and Om Shakti. Man they go right through me. Thanks for more music that speaks to the inner spirit in me and my students.

I was led to Sean Johnson through Jai Uttal (whose music I love) and I took a chance in buying this CD since I had never heard Sean Johnson. I am glad I did! I listen to this thrilling devotional music every day.